Frequently Asked Questions

For admission, we recommend that students attain a 3.5 high school GPA, as well as an ACT composite score of 30 with a 30 in English (or equivalent SAT scores). Additionally, students are required to provide a writing sample with their application.

Spring Invitational is an invitation-based program for high-achieving high school seniors. This is the first opportunity for incoming freshmen to attend orientation for the upcoming fall semester. Traditionally, the program includes advising, testing opportunities, early scheduling, and additional information about LSU. This is subject to change.

If a student gains admission into the Honors College as an entering first-year student but decides not to enroll, then the original offer of admission is forfeited. They may seek admission as a continuing student should they wish to join the Honors College later.

Students who are continuing their studies at LSU are welcome to apply for admission to the Honors College if they meet the following recommended admission criteria: 3.5 cumulative GPA in all college coursework taken, an excellent 400-600 personal statement, and at least four semesters of college coursework remaining in their major.

If students have more questions or need more information, they can email honors@lsu.edu.

The structure of the Ogden Honors curriculum mirrors that of the major degree programs, which move from general education and foundation courses to major courses of narrower and more specific topics. The curriculum is designed with the flexibility to apply to all majors.

The Honors College offers discussion-oriented seminars taught by select faculty members on topics of their specialty. Additionally, there are small Honors versions of departmental courses that fulfill general education or foundation requirements of your major. In both of these types of courses, you will enjoy working with high-achieving peers and engaging professors in small, ambitious classes.

The Honors Shared Read Program is a unique shared learning experience that highlights the academic and intellectual culture of the Honors College. Through this program, all Honors students are asked to read a specific book over the summer.

No, there are no required courses that incoming students have to enroll in. However, we encourage all incoming freshmen to enroll in our gateway course- HNRS 2000.

The Louisiana Service and Leadership (LASAL) Scholars program prepares Ogden Honors College students for leadership roles in Louisiana, particularly in the fields of public service, social justice, and environmental sustainability. To be eligible, students must be admitted to the Honors College and must complete an interview process in the first semester of their freshman or sophomore year. The program is open to all majors.

The Honors Capstone project is an opportunity to follow your curiosity and to ask and answer a question in your major through methods of your field. A written work in the end, this document is created through research and hands-on independent study under the guidance of a thesis director in your major. The Honors Capstone project is completed over the course of two semesters in capstone courses; however, research often begins prior to official enrollment in the capstone courses, either through on-campus jobs or through prior independent study.

Honors courses are not designed to inherently be more difficult than non-Honors courses. They are typically designed in a different way that caters more to how Honors students learn. This could mean the material is presented in a different way, taught at a faster pace, or provided with more applied context.

It is up to each student, with assistance from an academic advisor, to decide which Honors course is best for them. Students can earn Honors credit from either of these options or a combination of both. Many students prefer Honors courses over non-Honors courses because of the way they are taught and the smaller class sizes.

The Honors College offers a wide variety of Honors courses for students to take, as well as Departmental courses within various senior colleges. Students may also elect to Honors Options courses within their Senior college.

The Honors Option provides an opportunity for upper-level students to earn Honors credit for a 3000/4000 level LSU course. Conditions to receive Honors credit are agreed upon at the beginning of the semester and will include work beyond what is required by the syllabus.

For students entering Fall 2024 or earlier, Lower Division Honors is considered our Sophomore Honors. Prior to the end of their Sophomore year, students would need to complete a minimum of 20 hours of honors coursework in the first four semesters of study, including 6 HNRS hours. They would also need to have a 3.50 GPA in overall, Honors, and LSU course work.

Upper Divisions Honors is when students complete an Upper Division Program within their specific senior college, if applicable. Upper Division Honors also includes a capstone project.

For students entering Fall 2024 or earlier, there are different Honors distinctions. There is College Honors (the highest honors), Upper Division Honors, Capstone Only and Good Standing. 

Students entering Fall 2025 or later earn honors recognition through one of our four OHC minors or TRACTS major. 

We encourage students to meet with both their senior college and our Honors college advisors. With majors such as Engineering, there may be certain requirements that only their senior college can complete.

The Ogden Honors College staffs a team of professional academic counselors who assist students in planning all aspects of their four years at LSU — and their goals beyond graduation. Our academic counselors help each Honors student design a customized path through the University that is tailored to their major and personal aspirations. That path should include an outline for the student's course of study, as well as plans to participate in community service, study abroad, internships, research, and to complete an Honors Capstone.

Academic counselors in the Honors College advise Honors students in all majors.

Students who maintain good standing in the Honors College are awarded priority registration, allowing them to register for their courses on the second day of the course registration period. This can often be two weeks earlier than one's normally allotted registration date.

Academic counselors assist students with academic planning and course scheduling, including selecting a major and choosing appropriate coursework. They also support undergraduate research, particularly in relation to the Honors Capstone project.

In addition, academic counselors help students identify and enhance co-curricular opportunities such as community service, study abroad, internships, and career development experiences. Students may also receive specialized advising from dedicated staff for fellowships and honorific scholarships, as well as individualized career planning support.

Your involvement in the Honors College is completely up to you. Many students enjoy taking several Honors courses each year and attending our events and programs, while others include our offerings with others across campus.

Yes! Honors students are involved in a number of different activities on campus including Student Government, Tiger Band, Greek Life, and much more.

The Ogden Honors College Study Abroad Scholarship supports Ogden Honors College students in academic study abroad programs. Awards are made annually and may range from $500 to $5000 per student, per abroad program. For more information and to apply, visit https://lsu.academicworks.com/. 

The Ogden Honors College participates in awarding the Stamps Scholarship and the President's Alumni Scholarship – LSU's top merit-based scholarships, providing full cost of attendance for four years. There are also a number of Honors-specific scholarships  available to entering Freshman and current students. Visit our scholarships page for more information. 

Laville Honors House offers a unique opportunity unlike any other residential college to live with other high-achieving students who are outside of your major. This provides many occasions to meet and learn from peers you otherwise may have never met.

You have the option to select your specific room in the hall and your roommate. If you do not have a roommate in mind,  you can fill out the roommate matching survey provided by residential life to find someone compatible.

Priority for living in Laville Honors House goes to Honors students. Honors students are welcome to have a non-Honors roommate, as well. In the event Honors students do not fill all rooms, it is then opened to non-Honors students.

Laville is also centrally located on campus, so it is easy to get to and from any point on campus in a timely manner. It is just seconds from the French House and 459 Dining Hall and minutes from the UREC, the LSU Student Union, and Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

Yes, there are two classrooms in Laville used for HNRS seminar courses.

Yes. Students who entered the Honors College in 2024 or earlier will have the option to complete both the original Distinctions Track and the new Minors Track during our transition to the Minors Track structure. While students can complete both tracks, you are only required to select and complete one of the tracks. 

Yes!  Any HCE activity completed while enrolled at LSU can be used to satisfy the HNRS 1010 requirement.